Quick Info
Name: Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower
Cuisine: Korean braised chicken (jjimdak)
Address: B102, B1F, Jongno Tower Building, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Closed: Sundays
Cooking time: About 20 minutes after ordering
Takeout/Delivery: Available
Price range: 27,000 – 55,000 KRW
Location: Basement level of Jongno Tower, near Jonggak Station and a short ride from Gyeongbokgung
※ Hours, closing days, menu items, and prices may change, so it’s a good idea to double-check before you visit.
Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower
I had dinner plans with a friend near Jonggak Station after work, and it was a chilly evening, so warm jjimdak — Korean braised chicken — sounded perfect.
That’s how we ended up at Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower, tucked in the basement of Jongno Tower. If you’ve spent the day exploring Gyeongbokgung, this is a solid dinner option not too far away — just one stop down the line from the palace.
Bongchu Jjimdak specializes in Andong-style braised chicken, and what stood out most about this branch was the convenience of the location. It’s directly connected underground to Jonggak Station, so you can walk straight there without ever stepping outside.
Since the area is full of office buildings, plenty of coworkers and friends were having dinner there too, even on a weekday evening.
Location
B102, B1F, Jongno Tower Building, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
From Gyeongbokgung, it’s about a 10–15 minute subway ride to Jonggak Station, making it an easy stop after a day at the palace.
From Jonggak Station, just head toward Jongno Tower.
Since it’s connected underground, you can reach it without going outside, even on a rainy or cold day.
✔ Google Maps Location
Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower
B102, B1F, Jongno Tower Building, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Inside the Restaurant
We visited around 7 PM, and most of the tables were already full.
Since the area is packed with offices, it seemed like a lot of people stop by for dinner right after work.
There were partitions between the tables, giving a bit of separation from the next group over, which made it comfortable for chatting with a friend while eating.
What We Ordered
We ordered the boneless jjimdak with added glass noodles.
Since there were no bones to pick through, it was easy to just dig in right away.
The glass noodles had soaked up plenty of the jjimdak sauce, and they went really well with rice.
My friend loves spicy food, so we also tried the spicy red jjimdak.
It had a noticeably different flavor from the classic soy-based version — the spicy sauce and chewy texture came through strongly.
For my taste, the seasoning was on the stronger side overall. Eating the jjimdak on its own felt a bit much, but pairing it with rice made it much more balanced.
Menu & Prices
Bongchu Jjimdak Small (1–2 people) – 27,000 KRW
Bongchu Jjimdak Medium (2–3 people) – 41,000 KRW
Bongchu Jjimdak Large (3–4 people) – 55,000 KRW
Boneless Jjimdak Medium – 44,000 KRW
Spicy Red Jjimdak Medium – 45,000 KRW
Boneless Spicy Red Jjimdak Medium – 48,000 KRW
Extra Menu
Scorched Rice (Nurungji) – 4,000 KRW
Cheese Rice Cake – 3,000 KRW
Glass Noodles (add) – 3,000 KRW
Two-Cheese Topping – 5,000 KRW
Tapioca Wide Glass Noodles – 3,000 KRW
Steamed Rice – 1,000 KRW
Soju / Beer – 5,000 KRW each
※ Menu items and prices may vary depending on when you visit.
How I Eat Jjimdak
I usually start with the chicken and glass noodles together.
Since we ordered the boneless version, I could pick up the chicken straight away with chopsticks without having to deal with the bones.
The glass noodles had already soaked up plenty of the sauce, so eating them together with the chicken gave each bite a stronger flavor.
For me, the sauce was a little strong on its own, so I preferred eating the chicken with rice.
A little jjimdak sauce mixed into the rice was enough, and it balanced the seasoning much better.
Toward the end of the meal, I also like using the sauce that’s left on the plate rather than letting it go to waste.
How to Enjoy Jjimdak
At first, eat the chicken and glass noodles together while they’re still hot.
Since the boneless version is easy to pick up with chopsticks, it’s especially convenient when you’re sharing the dish with someone.
If the seasoning feels too strong, order a bowl of steamed rice.
Mixing a little sauce into the rice and eating it alongside the chicken balances out the seasoning and makes the meal much more filling.
Once you’ve eaten a good amount, it’s also worth adding the scorched rice.
Mixing the leftover jjimdak sauce with the scorched rice gives you a completely different finish from the chicken-and-noodle combination you started with.
Tips Before You Visit
Jjimdak isn’t a dish that comes out right away — it took about 20 minutes to cook after we ordered.
If you’re short on time, it might be worth calling ahead to check on order timing or cooking time.
If picking through bones sounds like a hassle, the boneless menu is the easier choice, and adding glass noodles is a nice option if you enjoy them.
Jonggak is full of offices, so weekday lunch hours can get crowded with office workers.
Even during our evening visit there were quite a few people, so it’s a good idea to build in some extra time if you’re going during peak hours.
More Places to Eat Nearby
More Places to Eat
1. Gukbap Near Gyeongbokgung
Near Gyeongbokgung Palace. Korean soup with rice, served hot and filling.
Naju Gomtang Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Korean Gomtang & Galbitang in Seoul
2. Meongseokjip
Near Gyeongbokgung Palace. A local Korean restaurant for a hearty traditional meal.
Best Korean BBQ in Jongno – 3 Must-Try Pork Belly Spots in Ikseon-dong
3. Dakgalbi
Around Jongno. Spicy stir-fried chicken with vegetables, very different from soy-based jjimdak.
10 Best Restaurants in Jongno, Seoul: Must-Try Dakgalbi & Korean Food Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
4. Jokbal
Around Jongno. Korean braised pork trotter, usually served as a large plate for sharing.
Best Jokbal Food in Jongno – Halmaejip Near Gyeongbokgung
5. MEGA Coffee Jongno
Near Jonggak Station. An inexpensive stop for coffee after a meal.
Best Cheap Coffee Near Dongdaemun – Budget Cafe Drinks by DDP Seoul
More Places to Visit Nearby
After eating at Bongchu Jjimdak, Jonggak and Jongno are easy areas to explore on foot. You can also combine these places with a day around Gyeongbokgung.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
Seoul’s largest royal palace and a natural first stop before heading toward Jonggak for dinner.
It’s worth setting aside a few hours to explore the palace grounds and main halls.
Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace – Hidden Food Spots & 1 Day Seoul Itinerary (2026)
- National Palace Museum of Korea
The National Palace Museum of Korea is located next to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Admission is free, and it’s a useful stop if you want to learn more about the history of Korea’s royal family before continuing around central Seoul.
National Palace Museum of Korea – Best Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Insadong
Insadong is between the Gyeongbokgung and Jongno areas and is easy to explore on foot.
You’ll find traditional shops, tea houses, souvenirs, restaurants, and small streets throughout the neighborhood.
Best Cultural Experiences in Insadong – 8 Traditional Things to Do Near Gyeongbokgung Palace
4. Seoul 1-Day History Tour
Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seodaemun Prison History Hall, and Changdeokgung in one day.
A good route for travelers who want to experience Korean history across Seoul.
Seoul 1-Day Itinerary: Gyeongbokgung, Seodaemun Prison & Deoksugung – History Route
- Gwangjang Market
If you have more time, you can follow Cheonggyecheon toward Gwangjang Market.
It’s a great place to soak up the atmosphere of a traditional Korean market while checking out dishes like bindaetteok and yukhoe.
Best Food in Gwangjang Market – 5 Must-Try Spots Near Gyeongbokgung
Final Thoughts
The biggest perk of Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower is that you can get there straight from Jonggak Station without ever stepping outside, and it’s an easy dinner stop if you’ve spent the day around Gyeongbokgung.
We ordered the boneless jjimdak with added glass noodles — no bones to deal with made it easy to eat, and pairing it with rice made for a satisfying meal.
The seasoning was a bit strong for my taste on its own, but it worked well with rice or scorched rice.
It’s also a convenient spot for dinner with a friend before continuing on to Cheonggyecheon or Jonggak Youth Street for the rest of the evening.
✔ Google Maps Location
Bongchu Jjimdak Jongno Tower
B102, B1F, Jongno Tower Building, 51 Jongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul
👉 If you want to try jjimdak near Gyeongbokgung Palace, this is an easy place to add to your Jongno food route.
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